Kenya

Overview

Kenya administers trademark, patent, and industrial design protection through the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI). As a member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), Kenya allows applicants to seek regional protection for patents and industrial designs via the ARIPO system under the Harare Protocol. However, trademark protection must be pursued through national filings, as Kenya is not a party to the Banjul Protocol, which governs ARIPO’s regional trademark system. Kenya’s IP framework is aligned with international standards, allowing both local and foreign applicants to safeguard their intellectual property within the country’s growing economic landscape. Legal remedies and administrative processes are available to enforce these rights in cases of potential disputes or infringement. Participation in major global treaties further strengthens Kenya’s IP environment, ensuring that local registration coexists with international mechanisms.

International Conventions

Kenya adheres to several global agreements that influence its IP system, including:

• Paris Convention

• Berne Convention

• TRIPS Agreement

• Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)

• Madrid Protocol